The Rise Of A Billionaire 1943

Buying the company was only the first step.

Next, of course, was to recall the company's staff—research and technical personnel—and have them resume work, as it was fundamentally a research-oriented factory.

Ultimately, it was about keeping these people on board. After all, the technology held by Alfa Romeo was dead without people; it was the technical staff who were truly indispensable. Only with them could further research be carried out.

For these technicians, they were undoubtedly lucky. After all, to secure a job to make ends meet amid the ruins was something to be envied.

Moreover, their salaries weren't in worthless lira.

"In kind!"

Standing in the company meeting room, looking at the engineers and technicians in their worn-out suits, Pierre spoke directly.

"All engineers and technical assistants, based on your previous salary grades, will receive as a base 10 kilograms of sugar and three packs of Camel cigarettes. For each promotion in grade, you get one extra kilogram of sugar and one more pack of cigarettes."

Before Pierre had even finished speaking, the people in the meeting room were visibly excited. Sugar and Camel cigarettes might not seem like much, but they could be traded for flour, olive oil, meat, and all other necessities—enough to keep their families from going hungry.

A young assistant even stammered in English,

"Sir, can we really receive payment in kind? I mean, as technicians?"

"Everyone on the payroll, during these special times, can receive their salary in kind…"

As the new boss, Pierre was nothing if not generous.

In Naples at that time, the most valuable things were not the worthless lira, nor even US dollars, but goods—especially sugar and cigarettes, which were the most sought after. Such high pay was enough to drive anyone wild.

That was the world after the war. If SPAM luncheon meat hadn't been a military supply, Pierre would have liked to give them a few cans as well. After all, as a boss, you had to treat talent well, especially highly skilled talent.

It was just a few cans of food, after all.

However, such generous treatment did not come without a price. For example, each of them had to sign a ten-year long-term employment contract with the company. If they wanted to resign, they would have to compensate the company for its losses.

As for this clause, almost no one objected. In fact, they even praised the boss for his benevolence.

There was no helping it—workers in those days, especially in Europe, had been thoroughly schooled by capitalists.

Long-term employment?

Who had ever heard of such a thing! Wasn't it always exploitation, and then a kick out the door once you were no longer useful?

Now, this new boss really was a conscientious capitalist.

When signing the contracts, everyone sincerely thanked God for allowing them, in such extraordinary times, to meet such a generous and kind-hearted boss.

In fact, what they didn't know was that the real reason Pierre wanted them to sign long-term contracts was simply to keep them from leaving!

After all, people have legs.

These were the top engine engineers of their era—they could work for Alfa Romeo or for any other company. Never mind ten years; in five or six years, Italy would likely have emerged from the shadow of war and begun a period of rapid development. By then, the only thing that could keep them from returning to Italy would be a contract.

"Boss, I noticed our contracts all have a clause about accepting overseas assignments. Does this mean we might work abroad in the future?"

Holding the contract, Capini walked up to the boss and asked,

"Yes, my company is a multinational…"

"Our company has operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia. In the future, our main focus will be in Asia. Therefore, my employees must be willing to accept overseas assignments. Of course, when the time comes, you can rest assured that your salary will not disappoint you."

Facing the aeronautical engineer before him, Pierre smiled kindly.

"Is there a problem? Is there any difficulty?"

"Boss, I'm afraid I need to think it over. I can't make a decision right away. After all, I have a family, and they have never left Italy."

"Of course."

Pierre was determined to recruit Capini—he was one of the company's few jet engine experts.

Pierre then asked with concern if there was anything he could help with. Winning people over—this was the simplest management tactic.

"I'll be leaving Naples in the next couple of days. At that time, Mr. Mario will be in charge of managing the company. I hope you can continue to lead the development of the jet engine project. I believe that's the future, and the company's resources will be increasingly directed toward this area. What do you think?"

"Boss, I think so too…"

When it came to his field of expertise, Capini became visibly excited, enthusiastically explaining the advantages of jet engines. While he spoke, Pierre mostly just listened. Coming from the 21st century, he naturally knew that the future belonged to jet engines.

It was while he was listening to the explanation that a light screen suddenly flashed before his eyes.

"You can now learn the skill 'Aero Engine Engineering.' Would you like to learn it?"

Pierre hurriedly chose "Yes," and knowledge of aero engine engineering flooded into his mind.

Having previously known almost nothing about aero engines, he was instantly transformed into an expert.

The "Aero Engine Engineering" knowledge covered the principles, design, manufacturing, and testing of aero engines. Although it was only a Level 1 skill, which gave Pierre a general understanding of the principles and various design and manufacturing standards, these seemingly unimportant bits of knowledge were, in this era where jet engines were just starting out, undoubtedly ahead of their time.

When Capini brought up jet engines again, Pierre immediately demonstrated his professional expertise, making Capini believe he was facing a truly outstanding aeronautical engineer.

There was nothing for it—the system was just that powerful.

By the end, Capini no longer cared about never having been abroad; instead, he was eager to follow Pierre, this expert with profound insight into jet engine research, and start a new project together. After learning that the factory would be built in Asia, Capini thought for a moment and asked,

"You mean… we'll be going to Asia in the future?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No problem at all, boss!"

Sometimes, scholars really are that simple. Previous concerns disappear when faced with a true academic authority.

After Capini went to HR to handle his contract, Pierre stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the pitch-black city. Although there was no blackout in effect, the war had destroyed the power plants and substations, sending all of Naples back to the 19th century.

At this moment, brokers were still searching everywhere for what they considered wealth. But what did they know about real wealth? In truth, it was these people—these engineers and the knowledge in their minds…

Staring at the dark city, the corners of Pierre's mouth curled up once more.

"There really is treasure everywhere."

As he muttered to himself, Pierre understood that with the arrival of these talented individuals, the golden age of North Borneo was destined to begin…